Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-16
THE SUPERIOR COURT
Adjourns IN Respect to the Dead Gov
oTnor

oTQoT.
At the coming in of the Superior Cours
yesterday afternoon. Senator H. NJ. Heath
arose and addressed the court as follows:
Nay It please the Court:
becomes my duty to interrupt the bust
Iness OF the Court by the painful announce
Einent OF the death of the Governor of the
State. A
Such men are rare. Large-hearted. whole
Esouied. big-brained. his life has been an
fnspiration for the community he has hon.
fored, To the people of this valley his death
rs personal loss. They have seen him rise
prom obscurity to eminence by the sheer force
fof his indomitable will and powerful brain.
Never an office-seeker, he was called to the
Governors chair against his own desire. A
Snatural leader in business, by common con-
sent, the reins of the State government
kseemed naturally to fall to him.
lie believed enthusiastically in Maine
and her boundless resources He first
taught US that her barren hills covered
kmines of wealth. He has seized her
frivers and claiming them to the wheel, making
)them the servants of industry. He mas
5breathed the breath of life into many dy-
king industry, giving courage to the weak and
preaching the doctrine of faith in Maine and
her future.
As he enters the sleep of eternity, his
!shroud can be no more spotless than his re-
cord of integrity.
He was keenly alive to the moral interests
Eof society. To elevate mankind he has fear
[lessly directed the administration of Justice
and it seems doubly fitting that as a mark of
Prospect to him as man, a neighbor, and the
IChief Executive, this Court of Justice should
nov adjourn.
In behalf of the bar, would therefore
make the motion,
Hon. Z. F. Webb, addressing the court,
said
4 may 1t pleose your Honor.
| | second the motion submitted BY Senator
Heath. think it very appropriate that this
court, situated in the county where Governor
Bodwell has lived, and in sight of the CAPT
POL, the dome of which looks down upon the
house which contains his remains, should adj
journ in respect to his memory; and think
it would be in harmony with the feelings of
the members of this bar. | think Brother
Heath has well voiced the sentiment of the
community.
Governor Bodwell was a remarkable man.
Many great and important industries
not only in this State but in New England
and the West are monuments to his great in
lustry, energy and brain power. He was a
wonderful business man whose powerful mind
was perceptiby far greater in both scope and
2activity than that of any other man within
This State, in my judgment.
The intelligence of Governor Bodwell's
death has come to all with a shock True,
we had notice of his Illness; but the daily
bulletins informed US that his ultimate re-
|covery was only a question of time. The
wire this morning flashed to us the intelligence
. of his death, and hear no expressions but
those of sorrow and regret.
| think your honor would give voice to the
feeling of the community by an adjournment
and second the motion that has been made
Judge Whitehouse then said
The announcement of the death of any
person who has been eminent in the public
|counsels of the State, and conspicuous in the
great business enterprises of the period, is
always received with profound sensiblity
But Governor Bodwell, as has been already
observed, has had his social life almost en-
tircly in our midst. His business activity has
been in connection with our own people. He
has been surrounded by a very wide circle
of friends who have known him and been de-
voted to him, rs "A citizen and an associate for
his great heart, his large and ready grasp of
of business propositions, his manly and in
genuous character and his pure and honor
able life and who have honored him as chief
- magistrate, for his sincerity of purpose and
his marked fidelity and zeal in the discharge
of all duties involving the public welfare.
Therefore the intelligence of his death comes
TO US not merely with sense of public mis-
fortune, but with that feeling of sorrow which
fcharacterizes personal bereavement.
/ am not sure that our regard for the mem
DRY of this honored man might not be as
well shown here today by quietly and steadily
pursuing the duty in which we were engaged
Mt the moment of the announcement of his
Lieath, the duty of faithfully and impartially
administering that great law in which this
man had such profound and absorbing in
Iterest. But we desire to show our sincere
respect for the memory of man whose
career has illustrated, it seems to me, in a
conspicuous manner the truest and highest
. type of New England character; for a life
which it may be almost literally said, has
been sacrificed in the arduous and
successful endeayor to advance not only
dhe interests of great and benefcent public
Enterprises but to promote the public and
private virtues, and general prosperity of the
people of the State he loved so well. And if
there is any way, in which we can more APP
(propriately show the respect for such Il man,
desire to adopt that cause.
Conventional usage has prescribed ccs-
tsation from the ordinary labors pertaining to
h court and as that is now most in harmony
with our feelings and perhaps with the pro
1priates of the occasion therefore, being
lin entire sympathy with the motion and
the very appropriate remarks that have been
made in its support, it is
Ordcred, That out of respect to the mem
| DRY of Honorable Joseph II. Bodwell, Chief
Magistrate of this State this court will stand
until Monday next at 10 o'clock in
the forenoon.
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